A Monument or Sons?
I thought I’d take a break from changing the world today! Instead, just a quick thought from recent reflections on the Word (which is of course the great source of world-changing truth and which we must be rooted in if we are going to be world-changers!) I was reading recently about Absalom’s rebellion against his father, King David. It all came about because he wanted to be a king, and, of course he failed (though not until thousands of people had died - rebellion is always costly!) and he came himself to a sticky end (head in the branches - pun not intended!) But there is a verse about him after he had ben killed which really struck me:
During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he had said, "I have no son to carry on my name." He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s monument to this day. (2 Samuel 19:18 NLT)
How sad! The man who would be King was left with a lifeless monument instead of living sons. In seems to me that we can choose in our lifetimes to either try to make a name for ourselves - build a monument to our own glory - or we can have something of true, lasting spiritual value that we simply aim to pass on to natural and spiritual sons (and daughters) as an inheritance that will enable them to serve God’s purpose in their generation and contribute to the advance of God’s purpose through all generations. I know which I’d rather go for!
April 28th, 2006 @ 12:15 pm
Wonderful insight, Trevor! I like it! Provoking truth to steer our lives by. Thank you.
April 28th, 2006 @ 12:22 pm
Great post Trev. I’ve been challenged recently about investing myself in things that will last. Our lives may be finite in length, but we have the opportunity to build and invest into something that is eternal - the Kingdom of God!
April 28th, 2006 @ 1:52 pm
Trevor - this brings to mind part of a discussion I was having with fellow commenter CHH. I am determined to be part of a continuation of what God has done through the generation before me, rather than wanting to start over again. Unlike Paul I do want to build on another man’s foundation!
The above verse also makes me wonder - was it Absalom’s rejection of his father that destined him not to become a father himself?
April 28th, 2006 @ 6:07 pm
I like that last point, Matthew. Excellent.
April 28th, 2006 @ 7:37 pm
How strange! We were talking about Absalom at our Bible Study/Prayer Meeting last night, commenting about how much David continued to love his son despite his rebellion and how David’s broken heart is reflected in the Psalms. One of those in our fellowship has a son with a drink problem, causing his parents great grief and sorrow - but they still love him of course. Very different thoughts from those above but still ….
May 2nd, 2006 @ 11:01 am
So much was said about this at the Women’s Propetic Day in Manchester on Saturday. I love investing in other people, and also having people invest in me.